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64th Congress | 
Sd Session ) 



SENATE 



Document 
No. 687 



COMMAND OF THE AIR 




• ADDRESS 

DEUVERED BEFORE THE TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING OF 

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL 

SCIENCE. HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.. 

ON APRIL 29. 1916 

By 
ROBERT E. PEARY 

Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired 




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PRESENTED BY MR. SHEPPARD 
May 9, 1916. — Referred to the Committee on Printing 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

19i7 



li(^ 6 33 



NATIONAL AERIAL COAST PATROL COMMISSION. 
CENTRAL COMMITTEE. 

Rear Admiral Robert E. Peaky, Chairman. 

Senator Chakles F. Johnson, of Maine. 

Senator Morris Sheppard, of Texas. 

Representative Julius Kahn, of California. 

Representative Charles Lieb, of Indiana. 

Representative Murray Hulbert, of New York. 

Hon. Byron R. Newton, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. 

Hon. William M. Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of War. 

Dr. E. Lester Jones, Superintendent United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

Dr. H. C. Frankenfield, Chief Forecaster United States Weather Bui'eau. 

Hon. Emerson McMillin, 40 Wall Street, New York City. 

Mr. .ToHN Hays Hammond, Jr., Hammond Radio Research Laboratory, Glouces- 
ter, Mass. 

Mr. Alan R. Hawley, president Aero Club of America, New York City. 

Mr. Henry AVoodhouse, governor Aero Club of America ; director American 
Society of Aeronautic Engineers ; member committee on industry and educa- 
tion, Pan-American Aeronautical Federation. 

SECRETARY. 
Mr. Earl Hamilton Smith. 

STATE MEMBERS. 

Tlie presidents of the affiliated aero clubs of the country. 

The adjutant generals of the several States. 

The coniTiianding officers of the Naval Militias of tlio several States. 

2 

D« of D. 

FEB 14 1917 



Senate Resolution No. 210. 

[reported by MR. PAGE.] 

In the Senate of the United States, 

January 25, 1917. 
Resolved, That the manuscript submitted by the Senator from 
Texas [Mr. Sheppard] on May 9, 1916, entitled " Command of the 
Air," an address by Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary, United States 
Navy, retired, before the American Academy of Political and Social 
Science, be printed as a Senate document. 
Attest : 

James M. Baker, Secretary. 



COMMAND OF THE AIR. 

[By RoBEKT E. Peary, Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired.] 

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: We do not respect a man 
unless he possesses some elements of force of character, and no 
nation can win respect or exert influence unless it stands" for f orcef ul- 
ness and strength. 

In no way can we as a Nation stand so effectively for forcefulness, 
for strength, and for world influence as by command of the air. 

Our geographical position, our size, our resources, our wealth, our 
astonishing national growth, the watchfulness of Providence which 
has accompanied more than one of our national crises, all indicate 
that our role in the world's future, that our part in world influence, 
is to be of the first importance. 

Just as in the War with Spain, events external to us and beyond our 
control forced us from our position of isolation into that of a world 
power, with jDOSsessions and interests circling the globe, so to-day events 
external to us and entirely beyond our control are shaping for us a 
position and an influence greater than ever before. 

To touch ujjon only one of the directions in which that world influ- 
ence will act, I will note our position as the most influential member of 
that American federation which is surely coming; a federation of 
peaceful, prosperous, autonomous States, impregnable in their union, 
occupying the entire Western Hemisphere, seated upon two conti- 
nents, reaching from pole to pole. 

In that coming world influence the one great dominant thing which 
will overshadow all else will be air superiority and power. 

Twenty- four hundred years ago Themistocles, Athenian statesman, 
soldier, and creator of Athenian naval policy, asserted the principle 
that " He who commands the sea commands all." 

With the naval victory of Salamis, which changed the history of 
the world, he drove home the truth of his principle, and sent it down 
the centuries to be a living axiom of national power and influence 
to-day. 

" He who commands the sea commands all " still holds good. But 
it has a rival, the command of the air, without which it is beginning 
to be valueless, and in the near future it will be superseded entirely 
by the axiom, " He who commands the air commands all." 

However, we can not yet minimize the importance of command of 
the seas. The battle cruiser offers us the quickest and surest means 
of securing that command, but that is another story, Wliat we must 
do now is to insure command of the air or we shall be hopelessly 
outclassed. 

Great and important as is a sufficient Navy for our safety, I speak 
advisedly when I say that our air service of the near future will be 
more vital to our safety than our Navy and our Army combined. 

The United States Armv was the first army to have an aeroplane 
in 1909. 

Our Navy was the first na\'y to have a seaplane in 1911. 

5 



6 COMMAND OF THE AIR. 

Yet, where are we now ? We have, Army and Navy together, less 
than 100 aeroplanes and could hardly muster 50 aviators. 

Little Bulgaria, with an area somewhat greater than Maine and a 
population less than Massachusetts, has over 300 aeroplanes. 

The personnel of the French air service to-day numbers more offi- 
cers and men than there are in our entire Army. 

The personnel of the British air service numbers more officers 
and men than we have in our entire Navy. 

Germany has not less than 9,000 aeroplanes, and all these countries 
are constantly adding with feverish haste to their equipment in this 
department. 

The ministries of these nations which have thousands of aeroplanes, 
and whose frontiers are insignificant compared with ours, are con- 
stantly apologizing to the people of their countries for not being 
able to increase their air fleets fast enough to defend their country 
and protect the lives of their people. 

The sooner Ave wake up to the fact that command of the air is abso- 
lutely vital to our safety and that it can be secured more quickly and 
at less cost than any other form of defense, the better it will be for us. 

AEROPLANE HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED MODERN WARFARE. 

The aeroplane has completely changed modern warfare. 

Surprise attacks are no longer possible. And if one of the con- 
testants can secure command of the air and deprive the other of it 
conditions immediately become those of a fight between a blind man 
and one in possession of his eyesight. 

In the present struggle abroad the air strength of the contestants 
on the western front is so neai'ly equal that the balance wavers from 
side to side, first one and then the other having the advantage. 

In our case our geographical position gives us a natural advantage 
which if we utilize now should relieve us of anxiety. 

An attack upon us must come by sea. Our coast line as a base gives 
us an inestimable advantage in aerial warfare, and will enable us to 
send out such a veritable cloud of aeroplanes as would completely 
overwhelm and destroy any number of aeroplanes that could be trans- 
ported on the decks of a hostile fleet, thus leaving us in the possession 
of our eyes and the enemy blinded. 

But we must be ready before the fact. There will be no time to 
get ready when tlie attack comes. 

Once an enemy seciu^es a base on our shores any and every city in 
the country may be the prey of his air squadrons. 

And a single squadron of aerophines sweeping across New York, 
Philadelphia. Baltimore, or Washington, in a frightful shower of 
falling bombs, Avould cause more damage in an hour than our entire 
air service would cost. 

We should have at the very minimum not less than 2,000 seaplanes 
ready for duty on the Atlantic coast and an equal number on the 
Pacific; 5.000 on each coast would be much better. 

At each important place squadrons of aeroplanes should be parked 
like tents of the summer encampment of the National Guard. 

Do not think I am talking wildly. In 1900 there Avere some 700 
automobiles in this country. To-day there are some 3,000,000, and 
it has been estimated that the output for this year Avill be over 
1,000,000. The growth of the aeroplane Avill be equally or more 
rapid than that of the automobile. 



COMMAND OF THE AIK. 



AERO COAST PATROL. 



I have the honor to be chairman of a commission which is working 
on a definite constructive proposition that will give us a continuous 
picket line of seaplanes around the entire country to warn of the 
approach of an enemy. 

A central committee made up of two United States Senators, a 
leader of the House, an Assistant Secretary, a head of a department, 
a New York banker, and one of our foremost inventors is located in 
Washington. 

The adjutant general of every State and the commanding officer 
of each State Naval Militia is a member of the commission. 

The total cost of the system will be about $500,000. This is one- 
third as much as was laised both by France and by Germany by 
public subscription previous to the war for their air services. 

The cost of ench section will be $10,000. This is an amount easily 
within the reach of most coast communities and within the reach of 
hundreds of individuals in those communities. 

Maine was the first to take up and formally indorse this system, 
and Maine will have the honor of establishing the first station of 
the system this summer. 

Fourteen other States have the funds assured for a section of the 
system in each of those States. 

The conception is this: A continuous picket line of seaplanes or 
flying boats 50 miles or more offshore and 2,000 feet or more in the 
air around our entire coasts from Eastport, Me., to Brownsville, 
Tex., and from San Diego, Cal., to Cape Flattery, Wash., each 
machine traveling back and forth, back and forth, over its section or 
'' beat," a winged sentinel, forming a cordon, a continuous line of 
whirring shuttles, weaving a l)lanket of protection around the 
country. 

The idea is to divide our entire coast lines into sections of con- 
venient length, say, about 100 miles. 

Each of these sections and stations will be equipped with a sea- 
plane. Each of these machines will carry a driver and an observer 
and be equipped with light wireless apparatus, powerful glasses, and 
a sensitive microphone. 

When in active operation these seaplanes in each section will take 
their position some 50 miles offshore and patrol their respective beats 
continuously back and forth, in clear weather 2,000 feet or more 
above the sea, from which altitude ships 50 miles distant may be 
seen. At night or in the fog the seaplanes would, of course, sweep 
much lower, at all times themselves invisible to an enemy. 

By means of the wireless information as to the character, number, 
and apparent destination of approaching ships will be transmitted 
to the shore stations, and from these to Washington, whence, if the 
ships were hostile, orders will issue directing the mo^•ements of our 
fleet and the submarine squadrons, for the preparation of the coast 
defenses, and for the concentration of troops, if necessary, while 
reserve planes, hurrying out, will keep the approaching craft under 
continuous inspection while themselves invisible. 

Such a system is a new departure. The like of it exists nowhere 
at present, and yet it involves no new principle, but is simply the 
utilization and midtiplication of the known capabilities of a single 
seaplane. 



8 COMMAND OF THE AIR. 

Follow me a moment. One of these seaplanes is traversing its 
beat 50 to 100 miles west of San Francisco and 2,000 feet or more up 
in the air. A ship or ships appear on the horizon 50 miles farther 
out. The powerful glasses are brought into play by the observer. 
His trained eye recognizes the number, character, and course of the 
ships. 

The wireless crackles the information to the shore station. The 
shore station transmits it to the great Government wireless station 
at San Diego. That station snaps it eastward across the Rockies. 
In a few minutes Washington knows all about it, and, if necessary, 
orders are snapped back to San Francisco for whatever action is 
advisable. 

Let us imagine it is war. This advance notice of the approach of 
the enemy is the first step. In modern warfare hours and even 
minutes may spell victory. The enemy is still unaware that his 
approach is known, for the sentinel seaplane was invisible to him. 

With the next step a cloud of scout aeroplanes sweep out in such 
numbers as to overwhelm and destroy the enemy's aeroplanes, leaving 
him blinded. 

Then follow the squadrons of great battle triplanes, each machine 
carrying several tons of high explosives to drop upon the hostile fleet. 
You can imagine the result. 

In time of peace the undoubted improvement and perfecting of our 
seaplanes as a result of the 50 or more machines in this system in con- 
stant practice and training along our coasts may be worth the cost 
of the entire system. 

If the system results in training the entire personnel of the militia 
aviation sections of our coast States, it will have returned full value 
on the cost of the system. 

And a single plane might discover, report, and send assistance to a 
ship in distress that with cargo would be equal in value to the total 
cost of the system. 

It is proposed to supply the equipment of these stations ($10,000 for 
a station) by the private initiative and generosity of the coast com- 
munities. Once c()uipped the stations will be turned over to the con- 
trol of the Naval Militia, and the maintenance and upkeep of the sta- 
tions M'ill be met by that department. 

Don't think me overvisionary or fantastic. Somewhere in the Book 
of Provoi-bs there is the saying (I can not quote it verbatim) , " Where 
a people hath no vision, it shall perish." 

England's bitter lesson. 

Two years ago England was as we are now, asleep, and with more 
reiison tlian Ave, for the possibilities of the aeroplane were not then 
known, while avc now have before us an object lesson Avhich no intelli- 
gent mind that knows the facts can fail to understand. 

They felt secure, as we do now. The idea that anything could reach 
or harin them in their tight little island was preposterous. • 

To-day the papers, the people, and members of Parliament in Eng- 
land are saying, " Give us a man at the head of our air department 
who can protect us from the airships of the enemy, and if he does not 
doit, hang him." 

We shall be saying the same in the near future, if we do not learn 
and utilize now the lesson Providence has put before us. 



COMMAND OF THE "AIR. 9 

We have the chance to learn it in peace and sunshine. Our neigh- 
bors across the water are learning it in tears and bloodshed. 

Suppose such a horror from the air should fall upon this city as 
has already fallen more than once upon the east coast of England, 
leaving a trail of dead and dismembered women and children, muti- 
lated m.en. and ruined property. Would the whole country flame 
with rage? Would there be a snarl of "Why has this happened? " 
" Who is responsible? " " Whv were we not readv to prevent it? " 

The following will give some idea of how death and destruction, 
fear, rage, and bitterness of spirit have driven home to England the 
vital importance of air power. 

Equally instructive material could be presented from Germany, 
from France, from Italy, from Eussia, but the British material is 
more convenient and accessible. 

Mr. Balfour in the House of Commons said that — 

It would nvail nothing to England to have control of the sea unless it had 
also control of the air. 

Lord Montagu, of Beaulieu, in the House of Lords, March 9 said : 

At the present time the nir service is merely finxiliary to the fightins forces 
of the navy and army. I can see a time coming when the air service will be 
more important than the army and navy. We must get into the haV»it of looking 
at the air service not as an auxiliary to the army and navy but as a gi'ent serv- 
ice which is an establishment of itself and to which we shall have to look in 
future years for tlie defense of this country. 

The advantages of our insularity are rapidly disappearing. Upon the effi- 
ciency of the air service much will depend. Let it not be said with shame of 
our generation that we did not trouble to guard in the air what our forefathers 
won on the sea. 

Lord Beresford said that — 

The new air warfare is going to be of so tremendous a character that it may 
supersede the army and navy. Any way, we should be ahead in the air the 
same as we are on the water. 

On the 22d of March in the British House of Commons the follow- 
ing statements were made in the course of debate : 

For dealing with this very pressing question of the air, there should be sit- 
tings every day and if necessary all day until some solution is found for our 
third-class position as an air power. 

Our national pride has suffered a blow which it will take us many years and 
much labor to recover from, 

NATIONAL EXISTENCE WILL LIE IN AIR. 

Our very national existence in the next 20 years will lie in the ocean of the 
air. Within the next 5 or 10 years we may live to see the sky darkened by 
aeroplanes. The idea of a country owning 500 aeroplanes will be looked upon as 
a humorous event of the past. 

The supremacy of the air lies ready to any Government wliich has sufficient 
initiative to see to it. 

At a meeting called by the United Wards Club of the city of Lon- 
don on March 28 a resolution was moved — 

That the meeting considers the most effective means of protection against air 
raids would be by the creation and maintenance of an efficient air fleet in addi- 
tion to and independent of the existing naval and military requirements. 

At this meeting Mr. Pemberton-Billing, a member of the House 
of Commons, said : 

What we want to 5)ring about is something grander than the air defense of 
London. We want to demand of the Government that the money, brains, ability, 



10 COMMAND OF THp] AIR. 

aud resources we possess shall be employed and that we shnll gain as soon as 
possible and maintain forever the supremacy of the air. 

;:: * * :■: ■■:■ * * 

For the cost of two days' war we could have such a fleet of aerophmes as 
would darken the skies. We must do it. This country must be supreme in 
the air. 

It has been sut?gested that I am a man of one idea. Before many years have 
passed th.-it one idea will occupy the minds of many men of this country, and 
women, too. Every inland town lies on the coast of the ocean of the air, liable 
to instant aud \iolent attack. Wlien we think that in about 10 years' time 
countries will possess not 1,000 but 100,000 aeroplanes, at the cost of a few bat- 
tleships, it is a terrible thought. 

These aeroplanes will fly at a speed of 100 to 120 miles an hour. Their 
powers of mobilization will l>e alarming. It means that if our relationship 
with another country is strained at 6 o'clock in the evening befoi-e we arise 
in the morning it will be possible for our principal towns and cities to be laid 
waste. 

Lord Montagu, of Beaulieii, guest of the Liberal War Committee, 
at a luncheon at the House of Commons, March 22. said among other 
things : 

He had come to speak to a serious and well-informed body on the need of 
concentrating special attention and effort on aviation. He was pleading for 
a more energetic policy in regard to all forms of aircraft. 

:;: * :;: * * * * 

The struggle foi' supremacy in the air w.is oidy just beginning and would 
not stop when peace came. 

■;: -;: •:■■ ■:■■' K- * * 

Compared with the cost of dreadnaughts, field guns, and armies in the field 
the cost of even a huge aerial fleet would be small. 

What was wanted now in our statesmen and in our nation was more power 
of imagination. They could neither win nor hold an empire merely by "safe" 
policies. " Safe " men were all very well for times of peace. But time came 
when they might be dangerous. What they wanted now was new men with new 
ideas. 

I'roblems of the air were all new. There were no precedents to bear in 
mind, no tiles to refer to, no historical works to consult. 

The new service would need leaders who had ideals, foresight, imagination, 
and scientific training. These leaders must always have a clear vision of 
future possibilities, most of which were probabilities. 

All that I have read applies equally to us. It might be said in 
Washington, in committee room, or on the floor of Congress. 

One week of present war cost to Great Britain Avould give this 
country such a fleet of aeroplanes as could in an emergency rise from 
our shores literally like a flock of sea gulls, to defend and insure our 
national integrity. 

The basic ideals of this country, born of our ancestry, our national 
grow th, our physical position, are bigness and realization. 

These two ideals are our ever-present, though sometimes uncon- 
scious, trend in every line of efi^ort. 

Here is an opportunity for us to make good on these ideals on a 
great scale by taking up in earnest the air service of this Nation, 
recognizing that it is the coming science, and putting it and ourselves 
in the very Avorld van. 

Our geographical position, our national rank and standing, our 
national safety, demand it. Our resources and mechanical genius not 
only permit it but make it easily possible. Shall yve do it? Mr. 
Cliairman, I would to God that I might have the power to transmit to 
this audience the intensity of my feelings on this subject. It is vital, 
vital, vital to us, this command of the air. 

o 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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